Mash of the Titans

Hiya,

Yesterday I went to see Clash of the Titans at the movies with a friend of mine. We generally have the same taste, movies can be flashy and spectacular, but we also like to see them smart and consistent. While I was watching it (in 3D no less) and munching sporadically one my 2nd box of caramel popcorn (the first one having slipped through my seat and all over the floor, d'oh!) I found myself quite entertained. I thought the set pieces were well made, with enough details and believability (as far as one can stretch the imagination). The acting was solid and serious (not like Hercules/Xena or even the too-light Percy and the Olympians) and the special effects were definitely out of this world.

So then the end came and I asked my movie buddy how he thought it was. He said it was okay. Why, I asked, just okay? He started explaining to me why it was good enough, but no Lord of the Rings, and I found myself agreeing with him. The action scenes were all the same in that they never built them up sufficiently. It was kind 'wham bang thank you ma'am'. There could have been more suspense and things not seen, as opposed to the overexposure of characters and monsters alike. Half the time it went so fast you couldn't even see what was happening and to whom. A more varied balance between build up and climax would have been more productive. And the second most disturbing thing was the lack of character involvement. Sure, there was the stoic old leader, the young cannon fodder and the comic relief duo, but where were the heartfelt 'human moments', where close-ups between characters were shown with them sharing fears and hopes, possibly enhanced with a dramatic landscape in the background and a slow score?

So in the end instead of saying 'they could have shaved off 20 minutes', this flick could only have benefited from another 20 minutes. If they ever make a movie about 'Simon & Sally' I sure hope it has the same set quality and acting that 'Clash of the Titans' has, as it does have so many events, locations and characters in it, but that it has the length of a 2 hour or even 2,5 hour movie as to allow a more balanced timing and character development. And if scenes from the book have to be cut in order to achieve that balance (not unlike the Harry Potter movies), then that much the better. Oh, and I would love Guillermo del Toro to be involved for the fantasy parts. That man is liquid imagination with a splash of darkness. And maybe J.J.Abrams for the real-world action scenes. I mean seriously, have you seen Lost, Fringe or Star Trek yet? Magic box material....